The STIG provides security policy and configuration requirements for the use of the AirWatch MDM software suite for administrative management of the Samsung Knox and iOS 7.X mobile operating systems in DOD.

The AirWatch MDM Software is installed entirely on DOD host network servers or virtual machines running Windows Server 2008 R2 or 2012 operating systems, and works in conjunction with several services on these servers in order to manage a mobile device fleet, DISA wrote in the STIG overview.

The certification validates that AirWatch meets the security restrictions required for use on Defense networks. STIG-approval demonstrates that AirWatch provides government customers with solutions that follow mobile code risk categories and usage guides, the company said in its announcement.

“STIG approval from the DISA FSO enables government organizations running on DOD networks to leverage our comprehensive platform with military-grade security for their next generation of mobile initiatives,” said John Marshall, senior vice president and general manager, AirWatch by VMware. “With the approval of our STIG, DOD agencies have clear documentation to implement a broader selection of mobile devices and management software.”

According to Mark Williams, AirWatch director of government solutions, DISA released its Security Requirements Guide for MDM around the time agencies began to look at mobile device options outside of BlackBerry. The AirWatch STIG supports government offices that want to move to multi-OS mobility strategies, he wrote in a blog post.